Pictures: Wizarding World of Harry Potter grand opening celebration

CaptionThe Wizarding World Of Harry Potter kick off celebration at Universal Orlando

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter kicked off its grand opening celebration with help from "Harry Potter" film stars Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Bonnie Wright, Oliver Phelps, Daniel Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, Warwick Davis, Rupert Grint and James Phelps on June 16, 2010 in Orlando. Hundreds of people gathered in front of Hogwarts castle for a spectacular display of fireworks choreographed to a special performance of music from the "Harry Potter" films conducted live by renowned composer John Williams.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter kicked off its grand opening celebration with help from "Harry Potter" film stars Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Bonnie Wright, Oliver Phelps, Daniel Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, Warwick Davis, Rupert Grint and James Phelps on June 16, 2010 in Orlando. Hundreds of people gathered in front of Hogwarts castle for a spectacular display of fireworks choreographed to a special performance of music from the "Harry Potter" films conducted live by renowned composer John Williams. (UNIVERSAL ORLANDO)

Sept. 15, 2009: A broad opening date is established: Spring 2010. Actor Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the Potter films, announces that during a webcast. A crane slips the top shell of Hogwarts atop the manmade cliff at Islands of Adventure. Universal reveals more elements of Wizarding World, including the presence of butterbeer. Announced establishments were Zonkos, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Dervish & Banges, the Owlery, Three Broomsticks restaurant and adjacent Hogs Head Pub. Its also the first mention of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which is described as a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology but is quickly wrapped in secrecy. Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff, re-themed versions of Dueling Dragons and Flight of the Unicorn, also are announced. The trains on Dragon Challenge are redubbed Chinese Fireball and Hungarian Horntail. Missing: Forbidden Forest, which was presented in original plans and news releases, is no longer on the Wizarding World map.

Sept. 15, 2009: A broad opening date is established: Spring 2010. Actor Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the Potter films, announces that during a webcast. A crane slips the top shell of Hogwarts atop the manmade cliff at Islands of Adventure. Universal reveals more elements of Wizarding World, including the presence of butterbeer. Announced establishments were Zonkos, Honeydukes, Ollivanders, Filchs Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Dervish & Banges, the Owlery, Three Broomsticks restaurant and adjacent Hogs Head Pub. Its also the first mention of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which is described as a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology but is quickly wrapped in secrecy. Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff, re-themed versions of Dueling Dragons and Flight of the Unicorn, also are announced. The trains on Dragon Challenge are redubbed Chinese Fireball and Hungarian Horntail. Missing: Forbidden Forest, which was presented in original plans and news releases, is no longer on the Wizarding World map. (JOSHUA C. CRUEY, ORLANDO SENTINEL)